Le Conte Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,762 ft (2,366 m) [1] |
Prominence | 842 ft (257 m) [2] |
Parent peak | Sentinel Peak (8,266 ft) [3] |
Isolation | 1.87 mi (3.01 km) [3] |
Coordinates | 48°22′46″N121°03′42″W / 48.3794279°N 121.0617823°W [4] |
Naming | |
Etymology | Joseph LeConte |
Geography | |
Location | Skagit County / Chelan County Washington, U.S. |
Parent range | North Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Cascade Pass |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1938 |
Easiest route | class 4 scrambling [3] via Ptarmigan Traverse |
Le Conte Mountain is a 7,762-foot-elevation (2,366-meter) summit located on the shared boundary of Skagit County and Chelan County in Washington state. [4] It is positioned on the crest of the North Cascades Range, and is set within the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Le Conte Mountain is situated on the shared border of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Access to the peak is via the Ptarmigan Traverse. The nearest higher neighbor is Sentinel Peak, 1.87 miles (3.01 km) to the south-southeast, and Spider Mountain is 2.4 miles (3.9 km) to the northeast. [2] The Le Conte Glacier and South Cascade Glacier lie to the south of the peak. Precipitation runoff on the east side the mountain drains into Flat Creek which is a tributary of the Stehekin River, while precipitation drains into headwaters of the South Fork Cascade River from the west side. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises nearly 2,500 feet (760 meters) above South Cascade Lake in less than one-half mile, and the northeast aspect rises 3,200 feet above Flat Creek in one mile.
This geographical feature's name was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to honor geologist Joseph LeConte (1823–1901). [1] The first ascent of the summit was made by Calder T. Bressler, Ralph W. Clough, Bill Cox and Tom Myers on July 23, 1938. The Southeast Ridge was first climbed in 1953 by Dale Cole, Robert Grant, Michael Hane, Erick Karlsson and Tom Miller, while the Northwest Ridge was first climbed in 1957 by Art Maki and Joe Quigley. [1]
Le Conte Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [1] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. [1] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. [1]
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.
Silver Star Mountain is an 8,876-foot (2,705-metre) mountain located in Okanogan County, Washington. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Silver Star is the dominant feature in the Washington Pass area and visible from the North Cascades Highway. It was first climbed by Lage Wernstedt in 1926.
Sentinel Peak is a 8,266-foot (2,519-metre) mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Washington's North Cascades. The summit is part of the Ptarmigan Traverse. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, also straddling the boundary between the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wenatchee National Forest. The South Cascade Glacier lies below its western slope, and the LeConte Glacier lies on the northeast slope. Its nearest higher peak is Spire Point, 3.03 mi (4.88 km) to the south-southwest.
Mount Larrabee is a 7,865-foot (2,397-metre) Skagit Range mountain summit situated 1.4 mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located immediately southeast of American Border Peak within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and near North Cascades National Park. It is notable for its reddish coloring caused by oxidation of Iron in the rock. The rock consists of reddish interbedded and interfolded phyllites and greenstone. Originally known as Red Mountain, the name was changed in 1951 to honor Charles F. Larrabee (1895–1950), of the prominent Larrabee family of Bellingham, Washington. The name was officially adopted in 1951 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Frisco Mountain is a 7,760-foot (2,370-metre) mountain summit in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located two miles southwest of Rainy Pass on the borders of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. First climbed by surveyor Lage Wernstedt in 1926, the mountain derives its name from a mining claim on the south side that was worked in the 1920s. Its nearest higher peak is Rainy Peak, 0.54 mi (0.87 km) to the east-southeast. Precipitation runoff from Frisco Mountain drains into Rainy Lake and tributaries of Bridge Creek. The retreating Lyall Glacier in its northeast cirque contributes to waterfalls which tumble 1,000 ft (300 m) into Rainy Lake.
Del Campo Peak is a prominent summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain is named for a mining claim on the mountain's slope. The nearest peak is Gothic Peak, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the southwest, and Foggy Pass is the low point between the two peaks. Foggy Lake lies in Gothic Basin below the south face of Del Campo Peak and collects precipitation runoff which ultimately drains to South Fork Sauk River via Weden Creek. Runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. In terms of favorable weather, the best months for climbing are July through September.
Magic Mountain is a 7,610-foot (2,320-metre) mountain summit located on the shared boundary of Skagit County and Chelan County in Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades Range, a subset of the Cascade Range. Magic Mountain is situated southeast of Cascade Pass on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest peak is Pelton Peak 0.4 miles (0.64 km) to the northeast, and the nearest higher peak is Hurry-up Peak 0.83 miles (1.34 km) to the south. The Yawning Glacier and Cache Col Glacier rest on its northern flank. Magic Mountain is at the northern end of the Ptarmigan Traverse. Surface runoff on the north side the mountain drains into the Stehekin River, while precipitation drains into the Cascade River from the southwest side.
Cache Col is a gap in a high ridge between Magic Mountain and Mix-up Peak. It's located at the highest part of Cache Glacier, on the shared boundary of Skagit County and Chelan County in Washington state. Cache Col is situated south of Cascade Pass on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. Cache Col and the Cache Glacier are at the northern end of the Ptarmigan Traverse which is mountaineering route that provides access to remote peaks such as Mount Formidable and Dome Peak. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the col drains into the Stehekin River, while precipitation drains into the Cascade River from the south side.
Mix-up Peak, also known as Mixup Peak, is a 7,440-foot (2,270-metre) mountain summit located on the shared boundary of Skagit County and Chelan County in Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades Range and is situated one mile south of Cascade Pass on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest higher peak is Magic Mountain, 1.02 miles (1.64 km) to the east-southeast. Mix-up Peak is at the northern end of the Ptarmigan Traverse which is an alpine route to remote mountains such as Mount Formidable and Dome Peak. The Cache Glacier occupies a cirque below its eastern flank. Surface runoff on the east side the mountain drains into the Stehekin River, whereas precipitation runoff drains into the Cascade River from the west side.
Porcupine Peak is a 7,762-foot-elevation (2,366-meter) mountain located in Skagit County of Washington state.
Stiletto Peak is a 7,660 ft summit located in the Methow Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is situated in the Stephen Mather Wilderness on a ridge which also has Switchblade Peak and Jackknife Peak to its east. Stiletto Peak is also located on the boundary of North Cascades National Park, 2.24 miles (3.60 km) due north of Hock Mountain. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Bridge Creek via Copper Creek, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into the East Fork Bridge Creek.
Mount Chaval is a craggy 7,127-foot (2,172-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. Situated within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Mount Chaval is positioned west of the crest of the North Cascades Range, approximately 15 miles northeast of the town of Darrington. It has two subsidiary peaks, East Peak and Middle Peak, each 7040 ft. Its nearest higher neighbor is Snowking Mountain, 2.51 miles (4.04 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount Chaval drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.
White Mountain is a 7,043-foot (2,147-metre) mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Wenatchee National Forest. White Mountain is located 3.04 mi (4.89 km) to the west-southwest of Kololo Peaks, and immediately north of White Pass. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the south slope of the peak. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the White River, White Chuck River, and Sauk River. The mountain's name was suggested by The Mountaineers, and officially adopted in 1918 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Tupshin Peak is an 8,320+ ft mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated in Chelan County, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Devore Peak, 1.55 mi (2.49 km) to the south-southwest, and Bonanza Peak lies 6.71 mi (10.80 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains to nearby Lake Chelan via tributaries of the Stehekin River. The mountain's name comes from Chinook jargon and means "needle".
Cathedral Peak is an 8,606-foot (2,623-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Grimface Mountain, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the north in Cathedral Provincial Park in Canada. The Pacific Northwest Trail traverses below the south slope of Cathedral Peak as it crosses Cathedral Pass. Less than a mile to the opposite side of the pass stands Amphitheater Mountain. Precipitation runoff from Cathedral Peak drains west into Cathedral Fork, or east into Cathedral Creek.
Copper Peak is an 8,964-foot (2,732-metre) mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Copper Peak is situated 80 miles northeast of Seattle in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. Copper Peak ranks 22nd on Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 19th on the "Bulger List". The nearest higher peak is Mount Fernow, 0.88 miles (1.42 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain and meltwater from the glacier on the southeast slope drains into nearby Lake Chelan via Railroad Creek. The first ascent of the peak was made in August 1937 by Franklin Bennet, Edgar Courtwright, and Toivo Hagman. The peak's name refers to an abandoned copper mine that once operated at the northeast base of the peak.
Morning Star Peak is a 6,020 ft (1,830 m) mountain summit located near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is situated 2.5 mi (4.0 km) southwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Sperry Peak, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing this mountain.
Chilly Peak is a 7,960+ ft mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. It ranks as 192nd of Washington's highest 200 peaks. Its nearest higher neighbor is Ice Box, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the northwest, and Spectacle Buttes are set 2.1 miles (3.4 km) to the north-northeast. Chilly Peak is situated 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Ice Lakes in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Ice Creek which is a tributary of the Entiat River, or west into Rock Creek, a tributary of the Chiwawa River.
Mount David is a prominent 7,420-foot (2,260-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Mount David is the highest point of Wenatchee Ridge, a subrange which also includes Indian Head Peak, Whittier Peak, Mount Saul, and Mount Jonathan. Its nearest higher neighbor is Bandit Peak, 5.69 mi (9.16 km) to the east-northeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount David drains into tributaries of the White River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Mt. David rises 5,100 feet above the White River Valley in two miles. This peak was named for the biblical David by Albert Hale Sylvester, a pioneer surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features. This mountain can be climbed via the strenuous seven-mile Mount David Trail with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain.
Elija Ridge is a prominent 7,739 ft (2,360 m) ridge located in North Cascades National Park, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The highest point is called Elija Peak, and another peak on this ridge with sufficient prominence to qualify as a separate summit is called Ezekiel,. The nearest higher neighbor is Gabriel Peak, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the southeast, Beebe Mountain is set 1.86 miles (2.99 km) to the northeast, and Ruby Mountain is 4.86 miles (7.82 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from this ridge drains to Ross Lake via Panther Creek. This geographical feature is named after the prophet Elija, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Gabriel Peak, Genesis Peak, and Mount Prophet are also named in association with Rowland.
Mount Buckindy is a remote 7,320-foot-elevation (2,230-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is the second-highest point of the Buckindy Range, or Buckindy Ridge. It is set in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is situated 20 miles east-northeast of Darrington, Washington, and 17 miles north-northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. Precipitation runoff from Mount Buckindy drains south to the Suiattle River via Buck Creek and Downey Creek, and north to the Cascade River via Kindy Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,700 feet above Kindy Creek in less than two miles. The mountain's toponym is a portmanteau of Buck and Kindy Creeks, and has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.